EDITOR, The Tribune.

My name is Bianca Smith and I am an eighteen-year-old Bahamian student, studying in an international school abroad and I am the daughter of Mr Toby Smith, the future lighthouse keeper for Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club.

I am completely and utterly ashamed of the way that my dad has been treated over the past eight years at the hands of various government offices.

You are someone that should be a leading example and a role model for Bahamian children. However, how am I supposed to want to come back and live in the Bahamas if I am constantly seeing examples of ambitious Bahamians being stopped and instead foreign entities are benefitting from what is rightfully ours? Many of my friends also do not want to come back home and create their lives because it is frustrating that the government seems to have ulterior motives other than helping and promoting Bahamians to follow their dreams. Foreign million-dollar companies should not be prioritised over Bahamians.

I think that it is unfair that my dad has been trying for so long to restore the Paradise Island Lighthouse and create a beach club which will only benefit people, including Bahamians. My dad has been an active member of society, including restoring Steve Burrows’ conch shell and pigeon, creating Ringo the Flamingo, participating in countless beach and city clean ups and being an active member in hurricane relief efforts. My dad is a very kind and compassionate man who for as long as I can remember has told me that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to. He has been resilient and enforced his message to me and the government that he does not give up. I think that he is setting a very positive example for me and various other people who have been a part of this dream.

I am a person who stands up for what she believes in, for example, on February 28th, 2020 I went to a climate change protest in Bristol where Greta Thunberg was. I marched to raise awareness about climate change. I was also elected as a leader for the upcoming International Women’s day because I am very vocal about my beliefs on equal rights and fair treatment of all individuals. My belief in expressing myself has led me to write this letter to you as I am in awe at how discouraging the government has been towards my dad’s project. I think that this is a great opportunity for Bahamians, tourists and nature to co-exist.

I am also very familiar with my dad’s plans for the Lighthouse and Beach club, as I have seen him try every day to achieve his dreams. He has also made sure to teach me about business and the economic side of things. I am fully prepared to carry on his legacy and help him in this project. I think that my dad’s project will be nothing but beneficial for everyone concerned. I hope that the government will do the right thing and support my father who has been resiliently trying to create something positive for the past eight years.

BIANCA SMITH

Nassau,

March 2, 2020.